Acushnet BPW looking to return to flat rate for water, sewer

The Board of Public Works — which Town Meeting has voted to abolish — voted 3-0 Monday night to return controversial water/sewer division billing to a flat rate.

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By PAUL GATELY

southcoasttoday.com

By PAUL GATELY

Posted Jan. 14, 2014 at 12:05 AM
Updated Jan 14, 2014 at 5:45 AM

By PAUL GATELY

Posted Jan. 14, 2014 at 12:05 AM
Updated Jan 14, 2014 at 5:45 AM

» Social News

ACUSHNET — The Board of Public Works — which Town Meeting has voted to abolish — voted 3-0 Monday night to return controversial water/sewer division billing to a flat rate as soon as possible, likely prior to March 15.

The BPW also enacted a water/sewer spending freeze except for emergency winter repairs. The goal, members said, is to make sure that the change to the flat rate produces enough revenue to cover the operating budget through June 30.

The board went to a new billing formula last September which, in part, established "base charges" for water and sewer users at $168 and $183 respectively. Members said the change was primarily to cover costs associated with projects such as drilling for new sources of water so Acushnet can buy less from New Bedford.

However, selectmen objected to the move and so did rate payers, with some saying that under the new system, they were paying more than double what they used to.

That led ultimately to a Town Meeting vote late last year to abolish the independently elected BPW.

As things stand, the water/sewer division budget this year totals $1.3 million with $820,000 appropriated to buy water from New Bedford.

The move toward the flat rate is led by newly appointed member Matthew Goulet, named to the board after several members resigned. Goulet, who previously served on the board, said that if the flat rate doesn't bring in enough revenue, the board would have the final spring quarterly billing to make up the difference.

"The complaint is that the money the people are paying has doubled," Goulet said. "And a mild spending freeze is needed to make sure we pay for what we have to pay ... It's a normal thing to do in business; tighten up a bit. It should save some money. "

Just what the flat rate will be has yet to be determined, he said. "We have to bring a number that is reasonable to run the department; to resolve this problem," Goulet said. "The new rate is not fair to the rate payers. I want to get back to the flat rate. I think that's fair."

Goulet said the water/sewer division enjoyed a $600,000 surplus in 2007-08. "From that point on, it was all downhill until 2012," he said. "There was a new batch (of BPW members). Possibly they had great ideas, but they lacked experience."

Selectmen last month sent the Town Meeting vote to abolish the BPW to Beacon Hill where a home-rule enactment request will be considered to affirm the local vote.

That legislation likely will not be enacted and approved by the governor prior to the April 7 town election. If not, BPW terms will be on the ballot.

The BPW was formed in the mid-1990s after selectmen grew disenchanted with the growing need to make public works decisions. The idea then was to separate the two boards and hopefully have budgets, planning and operations handled by elected officials with some knowledge in municipal public-works functions.